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M; J.' MrLMO- COUNTER..

' APPUCATION FILED1umal4.`1915".k K :1,315338, Q. j g-Patenlfdeph, 19197.A

[2:2 Ven fr IVI. l. MILMOE.

l COUNTER. APPucATloN HLEDJUNE14.1915.

3 vSHEETS-SHEET 2.

1,315,738. i 1 l Patentedsept.9,191s.

EELlE. :ELE-l- Zim/922502 Mchvcze/ nf Mimo@ II/I. I. IvIILIvIoE.

COUNTER. APPLICATION 'FILED IUNEILI. I9I5.

Patented Sept. 9,- 1919.

. 3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

baver/ for I Mchde] J Mini20@ UNITED sTATEs PATENTl OFFICE; i

MICHAEL J. MILMOE, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO F. B. REDINGTON CO.,

I OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

COUNTER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

JPatented sept. 9, 1919.

Applcationlled .Tune 14, 1915. Serial No. 33,898.

To all whom it may concern.' i

Be it known that I, MICHAEL J. MrnMoE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain newand useful Improvements in Counters, of-which the following is a Specification.

This invention relates to 'a device fo1 in the combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter described, illustrated in the ac-4 companying drawings, and more particuy larly set vforth in the appendedclaims.

similar Ato Fig. 3 but showing the casing un- In the drawingsf Figure 1 is a front elevation of a counter embodying this invention. l

Fig. 2 is an end elevation with the locking arm partly broken away looking toward the right in Fig. 1. t l

Fig. 3 is an end elevation looking toward the left in Fig.- l, with parts in section.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary end elevation locked and slightly opened.

Fig. 5 is a section on line 5'-5 of Fig. 2. Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the lower s ectionof the counter., with the upper section removed. y

Fig. 7 is abottom Iplan view-of the upper section of the counter removed from the lower section.`

Fig. 8 is a sectional elevation on line 88 4 of Fig. '5.

Fig. 9 isa 'fragmentary sectional view Similar to Fig. 8 but showing the casing par- 12 are details of one of Fig. 15 is a fragmentary sectionalview onlin'e 15--15l of Fig. 14.'

. Fig. 16 is a perspective of one of the driving pinions.

Fig. 17 is a side view of the driving pinl ,ion which is fast on the driving shaft.

Fig.v 18 isa sidel elevation vof the star wheel for operating the counter.

Fig. 19 is a side View and Fig. 20 a section of one of theidisks for holding the star wheel together.

Fig. 21 is a section on une. 21` 21'0f Fig. 18.5

Figs. 22 'and23 are detail views of one of the arms of the star wheel shown in F ig. 18.

Fig. 24 is a sectionon line 24-24 ofv Fig. 22. Fig. 25 iS a shaft; and

Fig. 26 is a perspective of the latch.

In the drawings, the numeral 1 desig natesl an upper section and the numeral 2 -a lower section of a casing for inclosing the operating mechanism of the counter. The lower section 2 of the casing comprises a bottom portion 3 and a side wall fl extending upwardly from one edge of the bottom. End walls of triangular shape, as shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 8, close the ends of the lower portionof the casing and have their f upper edges extending from the Iupper portion of the wall a to the upper portion of the slightly upturned part 6 of the bottom 3. The upperl edges-of these parts 4, 5 land v6 all lie in a single plane so that they can be finished off by a single tool, such as isused in a Inillingmachine or a planer. .The upper section 4,of 'the casing comprises a, circular wall 7 and end walls 8 which form a casing 'having general seliii-cyliiidrical shape. The two lower edges of the lcircular wal] 7 vand the lower edges of the walls 8 lie in the same plane and are of the proper dimensions to t eloselythe upper edges of the parts 4, 5 and 6 of the lower section of .the casing, as shownbest in Fig. S. Then .the twosections 1 and 2 are brought together it. is apparent that a complete in- 'closure will be formed havingY a flat bottom and one flat side and having a removable cover semi-cylindrical in shape. The meeting portions of both of these sections perspective of the driving I lie in a singlffplane so that they can be conveniently machined off to make a substan-v Atially moisture'proof fit so that the closed casing practically excludes all. moisturewhich otherwise would find access to the operating parts of the counter. A pair of lugs 10, Figs.- 2, 3, 4, and 7, project downwardly fromone side of the upper section 1 of the casing and are positioned voutside of the end walls 8 thereof. These lugs therefore extend over the end Walls 5 of the lower section when the two sections are in closed position. Each of the lugs 10 is provided with a slot 11 which forms a hook adapted to engage the projecting ends of a rod 12 carried in projections 13 secured to the lower portion of the casing section 2. Inthis way a detachable hinge connection is formed between the upper and the lower sections of the casing. 1t is apparent from an inspection of Fig. @that when the upper section 1 of the casing has been opened somewhat farther than is shown in this figure, this portion may be moved to the left and thus disconnected from the lower portion of the casing. Secured to the rear portion of the upper section 1, is afsecond pair of lugs 15 projecting downwardly from the casing in a manner similar to that of the lugs 10 and forming latching devices to hold thetwo sections together. A latching bar or rod 16, see especially Fig. 26, 'is rotatably` mounted in the end walls 5 of the lower section 2. rIhis latch bar 16 has connected to each end thereof a projecting portion- 17 which is partially cut away to leave the portion 17 of the shape of a segment of a circle in cross-section. As shown in Fig. 4, the portion 17 may be turned to a position to permit the lug 15 to pass the latch bar in closing the casing. After. the casing is closed, the latch bar may be rotated to bring the bar 17 into the position shown in Fig. 3, the part 17 entering an A,opening 18 in the shape of a segment 'of a circle formed in the lug 15. In this way the two parts of the casing are securely latched in closed position. 1n the construction of the casing,

the two sections 1 and 2 are lirst'machined to fit one another and then clampedb together while the holes for the reception of the latch member 16 and the hinge rod 12 vare drilled, the drill being positioned to cut the opening 18 in the lug 15 at the same time that it dri ls the hole for the bar 16 in the lower portion of the casing. 1n this way it is made certain that the opening 18 will be in the proper position to hold the parts 1 and 2 tightly closed. The portion of the lugs 11 at one side of the holes thus drilled are later cut away to form hooks 11` A shaft 20, Figs. 4, 5 and S, is mounted near the center of curvature of the upper section of the casing and carried by this shaft and free to rotate thereon, is a series of counting units designated generally by the numeral 21, Figs. 5, 6, 13 and 14. 'Each counting unit is rigidly mounted on a collar 22 which forms a. hub, for carrying thevarious parts of the unit. These hubs, as shown in Fig. 5, are free to turn -on the shaft 2O vand are positioned end to end with one another. The collar 22 is reduced at each end. forming a projecting portion near the middle thereof to provide shoulders for holding the parts of the counting unit in position.

.shaft rotates or is stationary.

nsiefzse Fach counting unit comprises a gear 23, a numeral wheel 2li, a Geneva gear 25, and a single-toothed bar 26. The numeral wheel is built up on a thin, sheet metal, cupshaped disk 27 and a metal rim 28 which sur rounds the wheel and carries the numerals ranging from zero to nine stamped thereon. The parts of the counting unit tit tightly on the hub and are secured together by rivets pinions is shown in detail in Figs. 10,11, i

12 and 16. Each pinion includes a hub or collar 32 having one'end reduced to receive three pinions, 33, 31 and 35. Each of the pinions 33, and 3-1, carries four teeth, as shown in Fig. 10,-and pinion 35 is provided with eight teeth, as shown in Fig. 11. In

constructing the complete driving pinion, the gear 33 is irst forced tightly unto the collar The pinion 31 is then placed on the collar 32 with its teeth alternating with the teeth of the pinion 35, and the pinion is lastly placed on the collar 32 with its alternate teeth positioned adjacent the teeth of the pinion 31 and the other teeth opposite the teeth of the pinion 33. The relative position of the pinions is seen clearly by an inspection of Fig. 16. After all of the pinions are in position on the collar 32, the end of the collar is slightly upset to hold the pinions rigidly in position relative to one another and to the supporting sleeve. By means of this built up construction the completed pinion may be very cheaply con-- sti-acted from steel, each pinion being stamped out separately which would be impossible if the entire device were constmcted of one piece. The shaft 31 extends outwardly from one end of the casing, as shown in" Fig. 5, and is surrounded by a sleeve 36. The end of the sha-ft 31 may be upset to hold it rigidly to the sleeve 36 to rotate therewith, or the shaft may be allowed to remain free relative to this collar` The driving pinions are not operated by the shaft 31 and hence it is immaterial whether this A single eight-toothed pinion 37, Figs. 5 and 17, is rigidly secured to the end of the collar 3G to rotate therewith and. is in position to mesh with the gear 23 of the counting unit which occupies the units position in the assembled counter. The four-toothed pinion 33 of the first complete driving pinion is positioned opposite the Geneva disk 25 of the counter in units' position, and the four-toothed pinion 34 is opposite the one-toothedl bar .26 of the same counter. The eight-toothed pinion is oppositethe gear 23 of the counter 'nagainst the periphery of the Geneva disk 25 to prevent rotation of this pinion, while one of the teeth on the pinion 34 projects towardthe counters in position to be struck by n the tooth on the bar 28 when this bar hasl rotated to a point opposite the shaft 31. As will be seen by reference to Figs. 13 and 14, the opening in the Geneva disk 25 is removed a distance equal to the width of one tooth from thefront edge of the tooth carried by the bar 26. It will thus be apparent that when the one-toothedy bar 26 lstrikes .the

projecting tooth on the pinion 35, the open-- ing 40 will be in position to receive the tooth on the pinion33, so that the entire driving pinion will be permitted to .be rotated an amount equal to the width of one tooth by the bar 26. The rotation of the drivin pinion by the bar 26, as has been seen, wil turn one of the teeth 33 into the opening 40 in the Greneva disk, and since both the bar 26 and the `Greneva disk 25 rotate in unison with the counter, the drivingpinion will be further rotated a distance equal to vthe width of one tooth by the 'Geneva disk, It -will thus lbe .apparent that foreach rotation of nine to zero.

the counter in the units position, the entire built kup driving vpinion will be rotated a distance corresponding to the width of two by this driving pinion meshes with the ear 23 carried by the counter in the tens position, this tens counter wilLlikewise be rotated a distance corresponding to the width of two teeth for each revolution of the units counter. ,n Each gear 23 is provided with twenty teeth .and each counter, as has been stated, is provided with ten numerals, so that the'rotation of a counter a distance corresponding to .two teeth will movev the counter a distancek equal to that occupied by a single. numeral. The parts are so positioned that the rotation of the tens counter,

from the units counter takes place simultaneously with the movement of the numerals onv the units counter which changes the numeral in the, reading position fromk The units counter is driven di- `rectly from the sleeve 36 and since the pinion 37 carries eight teeth, the units counter will be moved a distance corresponding to one numeral for each one quarter turn of the sleeve 36. To vmake certain that the' sleeve 36 will turn a complete one quarter of a revolution at each operation, this sleeve is provided with a ysquared .portion 41 and an extension 42 is provided on the end of the casing 2 which incloses a spring pressed plunger 43 adapted to bear against the squared portion 41 ofthe sleeve 26 as shown in Fig. 3. A spiral spring 44y presses the plunger 43 into contact with the squared portion 41. The spring 44 is held under. compression .by

- means of an adjustable collar 45 surrounding a portion of the plu1i'ger43 and held in position by a cotter pin 46. This cotter pin lies inal groove 47 in the collar 45 and a series of holes 48 is Provided in the casing for adjusting the cotter pin back and forth to regulate the tension in the spring 44. It will be noted that throughout. the. structure no screws or threaded connections are used for holding the parts together. l A counter of the character disclosed -in`this invention must be mounted upon a machine and Asubjected to vibration which has a great tendency to loosen screw connections, Vand it isfor the purpose fof avoiding this defect that the parts are heldin position by other means than screws. This idea has been carried out in the above described adjusting mechanism orthe tension of the spring 44.

It is apparent from .the construction of the casingv thaty the driving pinions and the counter, gear wheels will be moved -out of and into mesh respectively when the casing is opened and closed. For 'this reason it is desirable that the gears should be locked in position when the casing is opened in order that they may again properly mesh when the casing is closed. The latch bar 16 is arranged to accomplish the locking of the driving pinions, as shown in Fig. 9. The bar 16 is cut away on one side` in the central portion, leaving van eccentric segment 50, Figs. 8, 9 and 26.- Bar v16 is rotated by means of a lever or arm 51 and when this arm is in the upper position, shown in Fig. 8, the casing is locked in its closed position. In thisposition of the arm, the eccentric seginent 50, as shown in Fig. 8, is turned upwardly out of contact with the driving pinions. As shown in Fig. 9, when the arm 51 is turned downwardly to unlatch the casing, the eccentric segment 50is rotated into its lower position and enters the opening belocks these pinions from movement so long as ,the arm 51 remains in the downward position. In this way, the driving pinions are automatically locked when the casing is unlatched ,and automatically unlocked when the casing is again closed and latched. The

y arm 51 maybe secured in its locking position by. means of a cotter pin or padlock passing through the opening 52 therein, and lyingin the depression orvnotch 53 which is cast 1n the casing in proper position vto register with the opening 52 `when the arm 51 ,is

. tween the teeth on the driving pinions and in locking position. .The arm 51 Vcarries a ing 1, to limit the movement of the arm 51.

`pin 54 adapted to strike against a projection., 55 on thecasing2 and .the lug 15 on the cas- For the purpose of preventing an accidental rotation of the numeral wheels'wliile the casing is open, each, wheel is provided with a spring detent 56 having a rounded tooth 57 yieldingly held in' Contact with the teeth of the gears 23, as shown in Fig. 9. By means of these spring detents the numeral wheels are prevented from accidental rotation, but. when sufiicient. force is exertedk upon them to rotate them, the spring detents will be moved outwardly and the wheels permitted to be rotated for adjustment and setting. Then the' casing is closed, the numeral wheels are prevented from accidental rotation as previously described, by the Geneva lock mechanism, and it is therefore unnecessary for the detents 56 to contact with the gears 23 under these conditions. The detents 56 are therefore provided with projections 5S which cont-act with -the eccentric segment on the shaft 16 and hold the teeth 57 out of contact with the gears 23 when the casing is closed. It is thus seen that mechanism isprovided for automatically locking \the numeral wheel gears against accidental rotation when the casing is opened and for unlocking these gears upon the casings being closed.

The wall 7 of the upper casing l is provided with an opening 60, Figs. l and 8, through which the readings of the numeral wheels are made. This opening iscovered by a glass plate 61 heldin position by downwardly turned portions 62 of the name plate 63 .secured to the front of the casing. The space between'the downwardly turned portion 62 and the glass 61 is filled with putty or 4similar materialto make the joint between the two parts substantially moisture proof. Since the gears 23 are .provided with two. teeth for each numeral on the corresponding numeral wheel, it is possible to set the numeral wheel with the space between the numerals instead of one of the numerals itself being oppositethe opening 60. If this should accidentally be done and the casing closed with the numeral wheel in this osiy tion, and power applied to thedrive sliaft,

ordinarily no harm will be done further than the simple fact that the numeral wheel will be out of position by half a space. There is one condition, however, under which such a misplacement' of the numeral wheel if not guarded against would produce a harmful result, and this will now be explained. From Fig. 13 it will be seen that the single tooth on the one-toothed bar 26 is of sufficient width to cover the space of two teeth and one opening of the gear 23. This is desirable because thissingle broad tooth op crates between two of the four teeth on the pinion 34; and in order to permit operation of the device in either direction :it is necessary to have the teeth broad -enough to drive the pinion 34 in either direction. If two teeth were used instead of one broad tooth, and the numeral wheel turned into position to bring the space between these two teeth opposite one of the teeth on the gear 3l (which would bein position to bring the space between the vnumeral 9 and the numeral O opposite the opening 60,) and the case'closed in this position, the tooth on the numeral wheel 34C would be in position to be driven by the second tooth on the bar 26 upon rotationof the shaft 36. Such rotation would be impossible, however, since the teeth on the numeral wheel 33 would not be properly located relative to the Geneva disk 25 topermit rotation. If an attempt were made under these conditions to drive the. counter, there would be danger of stripping` the teeth from some ofthe gears.l As the device is actually constructed, however, with one broad `tooth instead of two on the bar 26, if a numeral wheel is set in the position described, that is with the space between the 9 and the O opposite the opening 60 and an attempt is made to close the casing, the tooth the end of the bar or single tooth and pre-' vents closing of the casing. As previously pointed out, it is desirable, however, that the casingbe not closed under these conditions, and for this reason the cent-ral portion ofthe end of the bar 26 is left filled up instead of cutting it out to form two teeth. This arrangement prevents closing of the casing when the gears are turned in a position liable to produce damage if the casing were closed and the device operated.

` In other words, although the carrying bars 26 must be constructed to produce a movement equivalent to two teeth in order to move the numeral wheels one digit, they are -not provided with two separate teeth, but with a single broad integral member instead. This prevents the closing of the casing when the central portion of' thisl bioad tooth is opposite a tooth on the pinion 3l. If these partswere permitted to mesh under these conditions, the teeth of piriion 33 would at the same time straddle the opening 40 to form a lock with the disk 25, and rotation of the numeral wheels would tend to move the three rigidly connected pinions 33, 3l and 35 while So locked, thus tending to break the pinion teeth. The construction employed prevents closing of the casing with the parts in this position.

In order to provide means for producing a one quarter revolution of lthe drive shaft when an article to be counted is moved past the counter, a star wheel shown in Fig. S is provided for contacting with the articles to e counted` and for rotating the drive shaft. A wheel for this purpose must be light and strong and in order that it may be shipped in the same box with the counter, it should be capable'of being taken down or apart and assembled'readily. The wheel used in this invention includes four ,arms 70, Figs. 1 8, 22 and'23. Each of these arms is made of a single piece of'sheet metal bent in its middle as indicated at 71 and-having the inner` ends spaced apart so that the arms, when assembled form a closed triangle, thus giving a strong vconstruction and light weight. A struck up portion 72 extends longitudinally of each section of the arms to insure rigidity. The inner ends of the arms arebent inwardly as shown at 7 3 and each inwardly bent portion is provided with two lugs 711.

iVhen the wheel is assembled, the inwardlyv bent portions of the arms a'but against one another and the lug 74: of one arm registers with the lug 741 of the next arm, as shown in Fig. 18. Two disks 75 are provided, each .having four openings 76 thereinadapted to it over the lugs .711 and hold .the arms in place to constitute a complete wheel.- The `disks 75 are provided with central openings 77 adapted to receive the projecting end 78 of the sleeve 36. The sleeve 36 hasa tapere'd portion 79 in position to enter the .opening 77 in the inner disk` 75 and a nut 80 is threaded on the end of the sleeve 36 and serves the double purpose of forcing the star wheell onto the sleeve and holding the disks 75'together; If it isdesirable to adjust the position of thev star wheel relative to the'shaft, all that is necessary is to loosen the nut 88 which will leave the wheel freeV to be rotated about the sleeve 36; -VVhen the nut is `again tightened, the 'wheel will be forced onto the tapered portion 79 and will again be in position to rotate the shaft 31.

vInthe bottomof the lower section 2 of the casing two counte-rsunk openings 89 are provided for the reception of bolts or screws for .fastening the counter in place on a machine in connection with which it is to be used.

It is believed that the operation of the device will be clear from the `description of the parts and that a detailed explanation of the operation lis unnecessary.

What I claim is:

1. In a counter, in combination a casing comprising two relatively movable sections, counting mechanism mounted in one of said sections, and driving mechanism for said.

counting mechanism mounted in the other of said sections. Y n

.2.v In a counter, a casing consisting of two separable sections, av shaft carrying a series of counting units mounted `in one of saidsections, and driving mechanism adapted to coperate with said counting,units, when said casing is closed, to drive said counting units, carried in the other of said sections.

3. Ina counter, a casing consisting of two se arable sections, ashaftinounted in one ofpsaid sections, counting units mounted on said shaft navi-int; driving gears connected therewith, a shaft mounted in the other of' said sections having driving pinions mounted thereon and arrangedto mesh with the driving gears of the countingunits when said sections are brought together to forma closed casing and means vcarried by lsaid last mentioned section for connecting said `driving pinions with av source of power.

1. In combination, a casing section adapted to be-secured to a machine, driving mechf anisrn mounted in said section, a second section removably secured to said first section and counting mechanism carried in said second section independently of said first section and adapted to cooperate withy the driving mechanism in said first section'when said sections are united to form-a complete casing.

5: In combina-tion, a plurality of counte units, driving mechanism for said units, means for holding saidv units in operative connection with said driving lmechanism and arranged to permit the removal of said units fromv said driving mechanism for ad? justment of said units.

t. A counter comprising a plurality of numeral wheels, a shaft on which said wheels are adapted to be rotated, means for driving said numeral wheels, a support for said driving means, and means Afor supporting said numeral wheels independently of thesup-port for said driving means and out of engagement with said driving means to permit adjustment of said numeral wheels.

7. In a counter, a casing having a flat boti tom, a wall substantially at right angles to said bottom, a curved wall connecting the diagonally opposite edges of said'first mentioned wall and said bottom, said casing being divided into two sections along a dividing surface extending substantially from the diagonally opposite edges of said rst mentioned wall and said bottom, and means for detachably securing together the sections thus formed.

ioo

8. In a counter, a closed casing, a driving yizo 9. In a counter, a casing having a. closure` therefor, driving mechanism mounted in` said casing, anda latching device adaptedwhen in one position t0` lock said closure andwhen in anotherposition to prevent movement of said drivinginechanism.

10. Ina' counter, a casing, a shaft mounted in said casing, driving pinions 'carried' by said shaft. 'a coverprfor' 'said casing and a latch arranged to alternately holdsaid cover in closed vposition and \to pre'vent movement of said pinions.

11. In a counter, a casing, a driving pinion mounted in said casing and a latch for said casing arranged to coperate in one position with said pinion to prevent rot-ation thereof.

12. In a counter, a casing, a gear mounted in said casing, a closure for said casing, a bar mounted in said casing, means carried by said bar for locking said closure when said bar is in one position and means carried by said bar for preventing movement of said gear when said locking means is in released position.

. 13. In a counter, a casing havingrelatively movable sections, a gear carried in one of said sections, a coperating gear carried in another of said sections, means for holding said second mentioned gear from rotation, and a single device arranged to loclcsaid casing in closed position and to vprevent operation of said gear holding 25' means when in one position, and to permit operation of said gear holding means and to prevent movement of said first-mentioned gear when in another position. l

14. In a counter, a driving pinion, a.

counter unit adapted to be operated by said pinion, means for supporting said pinion and counter unit in separable engagement f with one another, mechanism for holding said pinion and counter unit against accidentalF rotation when separated from one another, and means for moving said holding mechanism into and out of operative position, and means for preventing separation of said pinion and counter when said holding mechanism is out of operative position.

15. In combination, a counter unit, a detent for holding said unit from accidental movement, and means for automatically preventing operation of said detent when said counter unit is in operative position.

1G. In a counter, a` numeral Wheel, a gear for driving said numeral Wheel, a spring detent for yieldingly preventing movement of said numeral Wheel, and automatic means for preventing operation of said detent when said numeral Wheel is in operating position.

17. In a counter, a driving shaft, a plurality of driving pinions. loosely mounted on said shaft, a second shaft, a plurality of counting units loosely mounted on said second shaft and having gears adapted to coperate with said driving pinions, separable casing sections for carrying said shafts, mechanism movable into one position wherein shifting of said driving pinions and said counting units is prevented and intov another position to permit shifting of saidv counting units, and means, arranged to nieve into and out of operative position in synchronism with said movable mechanism, for preventing separation of said casing sections whenever said mechanism is in said last-mentioned position.

18. In a counter, a pair of separable casing sections,- a pinion carried by one of said sections, a gear carried by the other of said sections and arranged to coperate with said pinion, an intermittent gear lock for preventing accidental rotation of said gear and pinion ivlien said sections are in closed position, means for preventing accidental rotation of said gear and pinion When said sections are separated from one another, and a catch constrained to move 'into and out of operative position, in timed relation with the movement of said last-named means, for preventing separation of said sections whenever said last-named means are in inactive position.

19. In a countera casing` comprising a pair of separable sections, a shaft carried by one of 'said sections, driving pinions loosely mounted on said shaft, a bar carried by said section and adapted in one position to lock said separable sections in closed position and to permit separation of said sections when in another position, and means on saidbar for preventing rotation of said pinions when said bar is in said second mentioned position.

20. In a counter, a plurality of counting units having numeral Wheels, spring detents for preventing accidental rotation of said wheels but arranged to permit rotation'theieof under sufficient turning moment, means for closing said casing and means for automatically disengaging said detents from said ivlieels when said casing is closed.

21. In a counter, a casing having separable sections, a drive shaft carried by one of said sections, a driving pinion secured to said drive shaft to rotate-therewith, a countingunit adapted to mesh With said driving pinion when said sections are in closed position, a pinion loosely-mounted on said drive shaft and adapted to be operated once for every revolution of said counting unit, a second counting unit adapted to be operated by vsaid second mentioned pinion, and means for preventing accidental movement of said pinion and said counters when not in operative connection with one another.

22. In a counter, a shaft, a plurality of counting units mounted on said shaft, each unit including a numeral Wheel, means for supporting said units in an operative position, means for preventing accidental rotation of said units when in such position, driving mechanism for said units, a` device for locking said units in operative relation with said driving mechanism, and means controlled by saidv locking device for releasing said means for preventing accide-ntalrotation of said units when saidunits are in engagement with said driving means. 23. In a counter', a casing comprising a pair of separable sections, a driving shaft carried by one of said sections, driving pinions loosely mounted on. said driving sha-ft, a latch bar carried by said section and arranged to lock said casing in closed position and to prevent rotation of said driving pinions when said casing is not locked in closed position, a shaft carried by the other of said sections, a plurality of counting units loosely mounted on said shaft and adapted to 'be rotated independently of one another vvhen said casing is in open position, and* spring detents for preventing accidental rotation of said units when said casing is in open position butarranged Vto permit free rotation thereof when said casing is closed.

2l. A counter comprising a plurality of relatively movable n'umeral Wheels, driving mechanism forsaid numeral wheels arranged to be .disconnected therefrom to permit adjustment of said numeral Wheels, and means for holding said numeral wheels in operative position relative to one another While said numeral wheels are disconnected from said driving means. i

A counter comprising a plurality of numeral wheels, driving mechanism for said numeral wheels, and a `casing for said' numeral wheels having an opening therein to permit readings of said numeral Wheels, said casing being arranged ,to hold said numeral wheels in operative position relative to one another and to said opening and disconnected from said driving mechanism for adjustment ofy said numeral Wheels.

26. In a counter, a shaft, a plurality of numeral wheels mounted on said shafthaving means thereon for establishing oommunication with a source of power, a drive shaft, driving gears on said drive shaft, and separate means for carrying -said shafts, said separate means being movable relative to one another to operatively connect and disconnect said numeral Wheels and Said driving gears.`

27. In a counter, a casing arranged to be vopened and closed, a driving gear for said counter arranged to be moved out of operative relation when said casing is opened, mea-ns for holding said gear, while said casing is open, in position to properly return into operative relation when said casing is again closed, and a device for releasin said holding means to permitl rotation o said gears when said casing is closed.

28. In a counter, a casing arranged -to be opened and closed, gearing for saidcounter arranged to be moved out of and into mesh when said casing is opened and closed respectively, said gearing being adjustable when out of mesh, and means for prevent-ing the closing of said casing when said gearing is set in position to mesh improperly. 29.' In a counter, a casing arranged to be opened and closed, gearing for said counter arranged to be moved out of and into mesh when said casing is opened and closed respectively, said gearing being adjustable When out of mesh, and means on said gearing to prevent meshing thereof when said gearing is adjusted to a position in which, if caused to mesh, it would lock on.y rotation thereof. 

